Arts, Culture & Humanities (A610) IRS Verified DX Registered 990 on File

JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

EIN: 53-0245017 · WASHINGTON, DC 20566-0001 · United States · FY 2024 Data

3 out of 5 58 / 100 Based on 2+ years of filings

Financial strength (30%) 84/100

Reliability (20%) 55/100

Effectiveness (25%) 88/100

Impact (25%) No data yet

Financial data: FY 2024 · Scored 9/13/2026

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Mission Statement

As the National Center for the Performing Arts, the Kennedy Center is a living presidential memorial mandated by Congress to present and produce the finest performing arts from this country and abroad. Since opening in 1971, the Center has grown to become the nation's foremost educator in the performing arts, with innovative national programs that reach teachers and students from pre-kindergarten through college in all of the 50 states. Through its producing efforts, commissioning programs, competitions, and apprenticeship and training programs, the Kennedy Center stimulates the creation of new art works and the development of new artists. In addition to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Center is the home of the Washington Opera.

Financial Overview — FY 2024

$306.9M

Total Revenue

$266.2M

Total Expenses

$558.3M

Net Assets

2494

Employees

Revenue Sources

Expense Breakdown

Program Expense Ratio 87.4%

Fundraising Efficiency 1057.0%

Operating Reserve 25.16x

Liability-to-Asset 19.3%

Revenue Diversification 59.5%

Executive Compensation $5.8M

Compared with Peers

FY 2024

Compared with 25 similar organizations (United States, Arts, Culture & Humanities, $100M and over in expenses), FY 2024.

This organization Middle half of peers (P25–P75) Peer median

Ratio	This org	Peer median	Position (P10 → P90)
Program expense ratio Program expenses / total expenses · higher is better	87.4%	77.4%	P10P90	Top quarter
Admin expense ratio Management and general / total expenses · lower is better	6.1%	14.0%	P10P90	Top quarter
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expenses / total expenses · lower is better	6.6%	4.8%	P10P90	Below median
Fundraising efficiency Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income · lower is better	1057.0%	1618.6%	P10P90	Top quarter
Operating reserve Months of expenses covered by net assets · higher is better	25.2 mo	30.6 mo	P10P90	Below median
Liabilities to assets Total liabilities / total assets · lower is better	19.3%	18.9%	P10P90	Below median
Revenue concentration Share of revenue from the largest source · lower is better	59.5%	69.0%	P10P90	Above median
Revenue growth Year over year revenue growth	7.1%	4.2%	P10P90
Expense growth Year over year expense growth	-4.9%	7.8%	P10P90
Surplus margin Surplus as a share of revenue	13.2%	-0.3%	P10P90

Financial History

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Net Assets	Program %	Staff
2024	$306.9M	$266.2M	$558.3M	87.4%	2494
2023	$286.4M	$279.9M	$490.1M	88.3%	2550
2022	$239.7M	$252.7M	$474.4M	89.5%	1747
2021	$131.9M	$138.5M	N/A	—	2093

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Organization Details

EIN: 53-0245017
State: DC
City: WASHINGTON
ZIP: 20566-0001
Classification: A610
Category: Arts, Culture & Humanities
Rating: 3★
Coverage: A
Last Updated: Aug 2026
IRS Ruling Year: 1971
Foundation Code: 15
Form 990: On File

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CharityAI™ rates charities from 0 to 100 using public filings (IRS Form 990 and the equivalent registries outside the US) together with the information the charity itself provides on DonationX. Ratings are recalculated every quarter, without human bias, and shown as stars.

Four pillars

Financial strength30%

Program expense ratio, fundraising efficiency, operating reserves, liabilities and revenue diversification, compared with similar organizations.

Reliability20%

Standing with the registry, filing history, verification and how complete the profile is.

Effectiveness25%

How much goes to programs and how consistently the organization delivers them.

Impact25%

The outcomes the charity reports on DonationX: people served, cost per service and results.

Stars

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